NFL roundup: Training camp begins, Ryan Fitzpatrick and more
The first team in its entirety will report to training camp on Monday, with the Green Bay Packers officially starting the 2016 National Football League season. Green Bay has plenty to prove this season, with expectations of a Super Bowl filling the cheeseheads.
Meanwhile, the Seattle Seahawks have all kinds of news coming out of the Great Northwest. General manager John Schneider agreed to a contract extension with the team, giving him five more years with the club and making him the highest-paid at his position.
Schneider already has to get down to work, with defensive end Michael Bennett wanting a new contract. Bennett, who says he will report to camp but also says he wants to be traded without a new deal, will have his agents talking to Seattle’s brass. Considering Bennett has two years left on his contract, he might have a very tough time gaining enough leverage to gain a new deal.
Also on the contract front, Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins simply wants to be paid what he is worth, according to ESPN. Hopkins is due to hit free agency after this season, and would like to become one of the highest-paid receivers in football. Considering he went for more than 1,600 yards last year with Brian Hoyer and Brandon Weeden, he deserves it.
Perhaps taking a shot at quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, New York Jets head coach Todd Bowles says that his team’s success isn’t tied to that position, per NFL.com. Fitzpatrick remains a free agent with the team and his representatives at a financial stalemate. At the moment, the quarterback battle would be between Bryce Petty, Geno Smith and Christian Hackenberg, with Smith getting the major edge.